What are speedruns?
Speedruns are a type of video game playthrough where the player attempts to complete a game as quickly as possible. This often involves exploiting glitches, using advanced techniques, and having an in-depth knowledge of the game’s mechanics. Speedrunning has become a popular subculture within the gaming community, with players competing to achieve the fastest completion times for various games.
How are speedruns categorized?
Speedruns are typically categorized based on different criteria, such as the goals of the run, the rules that must be followed, and the techniques that are allowed. Some common categories include Any%, where the goal is simply to complete the game as quickly as possible, and 100%, where the goal is to complete the game while collecting all items or completing all objectives. Other categories may include Low%, where the player completes the game with as few resources as possible, and Glitchless, where the player must complete the game without exploiting glitches.
Who are some notable speedrunners?
There are many notable speedrunners in the gaming community who have achieved fame for their impressive speedrunning skills. Some of the most well-known speedrunners include Cosmo Wright, who holds several world records for games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Narcissa Wright, who was the first person to complete The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in under 18 minutes. Other notable speedrunners include Darbian, who holds the world record for Super Mario Bros., and Trihex, who is known for his speedruns of various Mario games.
What are some popular speedrunning communities?
There are several popular speedrunning communities where players can share their speedruns, discuss strategies, and compete in races. Some of the most well-known speedrunning communities include Speed Demos Archive (SDA), which hosts a large collection of speedrun videos and forums for discussing speedrunning techniques, and Speedrun.com, which is a popular website for tracking speedrun records and hosting speedrunning events. Other popular speedrunning communities include Twitch, where many speedrunners stream their runs live for viewers to watch, and Reddit, which has several dedicated subreddits for discussing speedrunning strategies and sharing speedrun videos.
How are speedruns verified?
Speedruns are typically verified by a community of speedrunners who review the video footage of the run to ensure that the player followed the rules and did not cheat. In some cases, speedruns may also be verified by submitting the video footage to a speedrunning website or organization for official verification. Some speedrunning communities have specific rules and guidelines for verifying speedruns, such as requiring the player to show their game console or computer screen during the run to prove that they did not use cheats or external tools.
What are some common techniques used in speedrunning?
There are several common techniques that speedrunners use to complete games quickly and efficiently. Some of the most popular techniques include:
– Sequence breaking: Skipping parts of the game that are intended to be completed in a specific order.
– Glitch exploitation: Taking advantage of programming errors or glitches in the game to gain an advantage.
– Frame-perfect inputs: Performing actions with precise timing to save fractions of a second.
– Route optimization: Planning the most efficient path through the game to minimize time spent on unnecessary tasks.
– Tool-assisted speedruns (TAS): Using emulators and tools to create perfect speedruns that would be impossible for a human player to achieve.
Overall, speedrunning is a challenging and competitive hobby that requires skill, dedication, and a deep understanding of the games being played. With a vibrant community of speedrunners and fans, speedrunning continues to grow in popularity as players strive to push the limits of what is possible in their favorite games.